Akron man charged following Clarence incident
The Defendant Faces Multiple Felony, Misdemeanor, and Traffic Charges
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports that 50-year-old David Cottom, Sr., of Akron has been charged following an incident early Wednesday morning when he fled from Deputies during an attempted traffic stop and a report of a stolen vehicle later in the morning.
Cottom was named a person of interest following the traffic stop attempt and a search of the area near Pineledge and Winding was initiated and involved Sheriff’s Deputies, QRF, K9 units, Air-1, and units from the New York State Police and the Amherst Police Department.
During the search, the Sheriff’s Office received a call for a stolen vehicle. At approximately
9:26 a.m., the vehicle, operated by an individual fitting Cottom’s description, was observed in the City of Buffalo.
Units attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight near Niagara Street. The stolen vehicle was located later on Prospect Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The vehicle was unoccupied, and a search of the area was initiated.
After a brief search, Cottom was located by Deputies near Niagara and Maryland streets in the City of Buffalo and taken into custody.
Stemming from the first incident, Deputies charged him with misdemeanor counts of:
· Unlawful fleeing from police;
· Reckless driving; and
· Aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle.
He was also charged with vehicle and traffic law violations which include:
· Speeding
· Operation of a vehicle by an unlicensed driver; and
· Three violations for failing to stop at a stop sign.
During the search, Cottom reportedly stole a vehicle from a Hillcrest Drive address. The defendant is also charged with:
· A felony count of grand larceny – auto;
· A felony count of criminal mischief – 2nd; and
· A misdemeanor count of unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Cottom is to be arraigned later today at Clarence Town Court.